Today’s example looks at not only a different type of scorecard, but a different method of scoring.  In the traditional method of keeping score, a player’s progress around the bases is charted in isolation in one box.  However, the Reisner Scorekeeping method makes every square on the scorecard reflect the game situation during every at bat. 

As the ‘situational’ method provides a different slant on the traditional method of scoring, it will appeal to some people and perhaps not to others.  Neither method is ‘better’ than the other.  They are two alternative ways to record what happens in a ballgame and whether you prefer one to the other will depend on personal choice.  I’m a fan of both methods and the fact that there are different methods/scorecards to use is part of the appeal to me of keeping score.

New website launched

Alex Reisner has recently launched an excellent new website.  As well as providing a very useful tutorial on how the system works, the site also includes samples of the sheets so that you can try out the system and a section where you can buy copies of Alex’s own scorecard.  You can buy a pdf version for $5 (£3.50) from which you can print off as many copies as you like, or you can buy hand-made spiral bound booklets containing sheets for forty games.  These cost $12 (£8.50). 

The example we are looking at today was produced on my own modified version of Alex’s scorecard.  This has a few different features on it, most notably where you enter details about the game itself.  I’ve also altered the ‘balls and strikes’ columns and re-modelled the pitching line section by removing the inning-by-inning strike/pitch totals which aren’t so important to me.

I created this scorecard early last season when you could download copies of Alex’s scorecards for free.  Now that you can buy copies, I will not be making this scorecard available to download.  Alex put a lot of hard work into designing the scorecard so it’s quite right that he gets a bit of money in return if people want to use it. If the system appeals to you, Alex would greatly welcome your custom.

Example: 20 August 2009 – Pirates versus Cubs (pdf)

The first thing you will notice is that it is quite a detailed scorecard.  On top of the standard ‘plate appearance outcome’ and ‘base-progression’ details, I have recorded every pitch (the sequence of balls and strikes for every plate appearance) and the location of every hit.  You don’t need to include these details to follow the situational scoring method, but I was in the mood to do so that evening.

The advantage of including the extra details is that you can literally play back the game, pitch-by-pitch, at any time in the future just by picking up your scorecard. 

Luis Rivas led-off the game for the Pirates against the Cubs’ starter Jason Marquis.  Marquis fell behind in the count (2-0) before getting two strikes to even things up.   A fifth-pitch ball made it a full count and after Rivas fouled off the next pitch, he lined the seventh pitch of the at-bat past the shortstop to get on board with a single.

Following the traditional method, you would draw a line from the plate to first base in Ruiz’s square and note 1B to record the single.  In the ‘situational’ method you record the outcome of the at-bat in the space below the diamond and then record the situation the next batter faced when he came up to bat in the box below. 

So, Doug Mientkiewicz’s diamond in square 2 has a ‘31′ on first base to show that Ruiz is on first.  After giving up a lead-off single, Marquis got ahead of Mientkiewicz with two strikes and continued to pound the strike zone with the Pirates’ hitter fouling off the next two pitches.  On the fifth pitch, Mientkiewicz hit a roller down the first base line to Derrek Lee.  He fired the ball to the shortstop to get Rivas at second and then the shortstop chucked the ball to first base where the pitcher was covering to complete the double play.  All of this is record in square 2.

Thanks to the double-kill, McLouth stepped up to the plate with the bases empty and he proceeded to flyout to centre on a 2-1 pitch.

Noting down every ball and strike is time consuming and it’s probably not something you would do every time you keep score, but the effort is rewarded when you are able to take this approach.  The Pirates’ second inning is a great example of why this is the case. 

Take a look at the pitch sequences and you’ll notice that Andy La Roche, Jason Michaels and Jack Wilson all went after the second pitch they saw.  Perhaps they were making a conscious effort to attack Marquis early in the count?  Maybe they were just up there hacking away at anything close?  It’s difficult to know for sure, but it’s an interesting little detail nonetheless that wouldn’t have been captured if I had only recorded the outcome of each plate appearance.

As for the Cubs’ side to the scorecard, their big moment came in the fourth inning when they staged a rally after the first two batters had grounded out.  Geovany Soto, who would end the season being crowned the NL Rookie of the Year, had an opportunity to turn around the Cubs’ 2-0 deficit.

Using the traditional scoring method, you would need to look back at the previous hitters and replay the inning to work out what the situation was when Soto stepped up to the plate (square 15).  Using the situational method, you can instantly put Soto’s plate appearance into context: he was up with the bases loaded.  Unfortunately for the Cubs, he was unable to take advantage on this occasion and flied out to centre field.

The Cubs also hit into an unusual play in the first inning.  The third batter, Derrek Lee, flied out to the rightfielder Brandon Moss after Kosuke Fukudome had drawn a walk on four straight pitches with one out in the inning.  Normally that would still leave a man on first with the fourth batter stepping up to the plate, but Fukudome had strayed too far from his bag.   The quick-thinking Moss gunned the ball to the first baseman and doubled Fukudome off to end the inning.

Hopefully the example will show how the Reisner Scorekeeping system works and will encourage you to give it a try.  Any questions, just ask in the comments box below.